Palestinian Territories – France expresses its deep concern over the number of civilian casualties in Gaza (3 November 2023)

France expresses its deep concern over the number of civilian casualties in Gaza, which has now risen to several thousand, and over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. It condemns the attacks on UN sites and humanitarian personnel, whose work is vital to civilians in Gaza, as well as attacks on media headquarters.

• At all times and in all places, the principles of international humanitarian law clearly call for distinction, necessity, proportionality and precaution. The protection of civilians is both a moral imperative and an international obligation. We ask Israel to take concrete measures to that end.
• As we have said since the earliest days of this operation, a humanitarian truce is needed to ensure the protection of civilians and the ongoing delivery of sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid, as well as care of the wounded.
• France’s position regarding Hamas is well known: it is a terrorist organization that commits terrorist acts. The civilian population of Gaza should not have to pay for Hamas’s crimes. We must avoid at all costs the trap laid by Hamas and extremists on both sides that want to create hatred for generations to come.
• We reiterate our demand for the immediate release of all hostages detained in Gaza.